Over 2600 miles separate Eugene and Athens. Yet, there’s an intrinsic bond between the two football meccas. Dan Lanning got his big ascension into college football prominence when Georgia’s Kirby Smart hired him for the Bulldogs. Lanning and Smart brought a national championship to Georgia together. It was clear he’d outgrown the defensive coordinator role, and Lanning was bestowed the opportunity to be head coach for the Oregon Ducks. A capacity he’s made his own. So much so that he’s now rubbing shoulders with his mentor. Jared Curtis, the No. 1 QB prospect in the class of ‘26, finds himself at the crux of a potential power dynamic shift.

Jared Curtis was a Georgia commit at one stage during his recruitment process. But he rescinded his verbal to keep his options open and take visits. Fast forward to the present day, and his shortlist of landing spots comprises 2 schools. A modern dynasty and another trying to become one. Georgia remains in the fray, but Oregon is making up ground on them. The apprentice could well overthrow the master in this situation. Amid the fervor around Curtis, who’s earned comps to future HOFer Matt Stafford, On3’s Hayes Fawcett has made a huge revelation.

Fawcett reports Jared Curtis is due to make his official announcement on May 5th. His On3 comrade Steve Wiltfong referred to the process being a “back-and-forth” tussle between these southeastern and Pacific powerhouses. There’s a good reason why neither program is letting go of the leash. A prospect of this ilk doesn’t come around often.

Tennessee native Curtis put up 58 TDs in his junior year at Nashville Christian. This included 40 passing touchdowns, to go along with  2,830 yards through the air. All while boasting a completion rate north of 70%. The raw numbers even fail to project the talent of this Gatorade POTY winner for the state of Tennessee. Curtis has refrained from giving much away throughout the process. Airing on the side of diplomacy. However, scratch the conspicuous surface, and there’s reason to believe one of these programs is leading the charge.

Jared Curtis has been to Eugene thrice. During these visits, Ducks’ OC Will Stein has really been making inroads. “Me and Coach Stein’s relationship is really good,” said Curtis to On3. “My mom and dad really like it up [there]. What they do in their offense with the quarterbacks and getting players around them…They’re well coached and they’re disciplined and I think they’re hungry to go get it.” 

Mr and Mrs. Curtis “really” liking Oregon is resounding. Add to the mix Georgia’s recurrent off-field issues. Almost all of these pertain to driving-related reprimands and arrests, which have blemished the image of the program. It’s not far-fetched to think parents would factor that into the decision-making process. Just earlier this week, two Bulldogs players got arrested. The overall toll sits at over 20 arrests in just two years. There’s another nugget fanning the flames of Jared Curtis potentially leaning toward Oregon.

Curtis has admittedly fallen in love with Autzen Stadium. He attended a game against Maryland last season and can’t shake it off. “The stadium was the most impressing thing,” he said. “The atmosphere…me and my dad came up [there and] we loved it. With 55,000 people, it as probably one of the loudest stadiums I’ve been in.” 

Conceded, all high school recruits like to play multiple sides and dish out superlatives before making their decision. Especially ones with so much buzz around them. But there’s no smoke without fire. Jared Curtis’ statements give off the notion that decommitment from Georgia could prove to be a fork in the road. Apart from his relationship with Will Stein, his parents’ approval, Autzen and Georgia’s overarching issues, there’s still plenty of reason why Curtis would want to don that famous Oregon green.

Dan Lanning has a lot going for him in mobilizing Jared Curtis

Under Dan Lanning’s custodianship, Oregon has been making strides year in and year out. They’ve just won the B1G. Granted, Georgia also won the SEC simultaneously. But for a program to win a conference that housed the eventual National Champs in year 1 post-realignment is a statement. Also, Oregon currently has the No. 4 ranked recruiting class for 2026. Jared Curtis will feel comfortable becoming the crown jewel of an already stacked bunch. Knowing that Oregon’s success is sustainable if and when he eventually arrives. There’s more Oregon can throw toward attracting Curtis.

That sweet Nike and Phil Knight NIL backing Oregon has is a magnet for recruits, as shallow as it may sound. It’s not the primary driving factor, but NIL does factor into recruitment in the modern era. Apart from this, Will Stein has a good track record of developing QBs. Bo Nix thrived in Eugene and still is with the Denver Broncos. Dillon Gabriel had the best season of his extensive 6-year stay in CFB last year, 5 of which came elsewhere. He, too, is surging on the NFL front. But let’s be real: neither of these quarterbacks had the raw talent of Jared Curtis. Neither had the amount of time with Stein that he will either, with both being transfer players. This makes the possible avenues and ceiling of Curtis’ development incessant.

Jared Curtis isn’t in an envious position here. Both programs represent eminence in this sport to varying degrees. He’s still got a visit to Athens on his itinerary, so Kirby Smart and OC Mike Bobo have an opportunity to keep him in the south of the country. Closer to Tennessee, closer to home. A career and potentially life-altering decision beckons for Curtis on May 5th.